Top 10 cycling communities in America

The top 10 cycling communities. Surprise - there are two top 10 lists to consider post-secondary institution impacts

We have heard about the top cycling cities. But what are the top cycling communities in the country. Here is a list of the top 10 based on the actual proportion of trips by bicycle.

New York City bike lanes (Wikimedia) - This photo was taken by participant/team Jim Henderson

In 2012, a list of America’s Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities was released. Some made sense. Some didn’t at all. But considering how unfriendly American cities are to cyclists in general, it was suspected that some communities were propping up the reputations of these cities. Was it based on infrastructure? Was it based on actual numbers of cyclists? Regardless of the case, the top 10 cycling communities are shared below based on actual proportion of people commuting by cycling (bike mode share).

TWO CYCLING LISTS (post secondary vs lots of post secondary)

In fact, there are actually 2 lists. While all of the areas below are affected in some regard by the presence of a major post-secondary institution, there are a number that are particularly affected more than others. Thus, there is one list detailing the Top 10 cycling communities (without the single dominant influence being swayed by the college or university close by). The second list looks at the areas heavily influenced by college and university activity.

Now before taking the numbers as gospel, estimates were made based on US Census data commuting data [see assumptions at bottom of article]

Highest proportion of bike trips in the area: 19.1%Average proportion of bike trips in the area: 17.6%

A very easy place to bike, this small city has a great center (including the Regent area). Bike lanes are provided on a number of streets and everything seems to be close by. Of particular note, the University of Wisconsin and the State Capitol are right in the middle.

10. University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

ASU Campus (Tucson) (Wikimidia)

Highest proportion of bike trips in the area: 19.7%Average proportion of bike mode share in the area: 16.4%

9. University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

University of Montana Missoula Campus – View from Mount Sentinel

Highest proportion of bike trips in the area: 19.7%Average proportion of bike mode share in the area: 19.7%

8. University of Illinois
Urbana (Champaign), Illinois

Foellinger-square-TM-Flickr – By Herbert J. Brant

Highest proportion of bike trips in the area: 20.7%Average proportion of bike mode share in the area: 20.7%

Highest proportion of bike trips in the area: 20.8%Average proportion of bike mode share in the area: 20.3%

Another University centered area. Students and others living in the area can commute nicely along a grid network supported by bike lanes and a motorist community getting used to the high bike traffic.

6 (tie). University of Colorado-Boulder
Boulder, Colorado

Boulder 13th Street bike lane (Payton Chung) Flickr Creative Commons

Highest proportion of bike trips in the area: 22.6%Average proportion of bike mode share in the area: 18.5%

Boulder has the highest bike modal split of any city in the country. The collection of neighbourhoods around the University of Colorado are a big reason for this with about one of every four to five people commuting by bicycle.

4 (tie). University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Historic University of Florida Campus – By UF Digital Collections from Gainesville.NorwalkJames

Highest proportion of bike trips in the area: 30.9%Average proportion of bike mode share in the area: 25.0%

4 (tie). University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

Eugene (Gene Bisbee)

Highest proportion of bike trips in the area: 31.2%Average proportion of bike mode share in the area: 19.3%

What is impressive about this area is that it makes up such are large proportion of the city. It is not one neighborhood, but many. One area even has as high as one in every three people commuting by bicycle. This area of the city is blessed with a solid grid network, cycling lanes, good proximity to amenities. Beyond that, the demographics of the area help. The University of Oregon is right in the center of this area and the weather is decent.

Highest proportion of bike trips in the area: 52.0%Average proportion of bike mode share in the area: 28.0%

Think these are good? Check out the top cycling communities and Canada and England for comparison.

[Sources / Literature: US Census]

Bike modal share calculation: The US Census produces modal share information for commuting. In specific, they specify travel modes of driving, carpooling, transit, walking, cycling, and more. This list used census tract data (5-year 2008-2012) to obtain averages. Some areas were left out of the calculation as a result of high non-resident populations (i.e. summer vacationers / snow-birds).

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